Shoe heel



April 12, 1932.

A. E, NORRIS SHOE HEEL Filed July l, 1951 Patented Apr. 12, 17932.

. AuNiEnk STATES PATENT OFFICE ALFRED E. NoEEIs,

oF SEATTLE, WASHINGTON, Assis-NOE or THIETY-FWE PEE To HUGH E. CLARK, E SEATTLE, WASHINGTON sHoE HEEL Application mea Juiy 1,

This invention relates to a shoe heel em-Y bodying'arernovable tap and has for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a heel of such 4'class whichmay be readily adapted for dancing or for ordinary wear, as desired.

' A further object of theinvention is to pro vide a heel of the character aforesaid wherein the-tapis maintained in positionby the oper- 16 ation of a spring pressed wedge, and wherein thetap -may be readilyrcmoved when desired by releasing the spring pressure on the wedge.

With the foregoing and other objects in 16 View, the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as hereinafter more particularly described, and as illustrated in the accompany- Aing drawings wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that the description and drawings are to be considered as illustrative rather than limitative.

In the accompanying drawings in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the several views Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of a heel in accordance with this invention showing n A the parts thereof in disassembled relation. 3o Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 but taken at a right angle thereto.

Figure 3 is a section taken on the line 8 3 of Figure 5.

Figure 4c is a Side elevation of the heel.

Figure 5 is a front elevation thereof.

Figure 6 is a bottom plan of the plate which carries the housing for the tap securing wedge.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the nui620 meral 1 indicates a shoe heel formed in its Seated against the lower face of the heel 1931. Serial No. FSLMSJ'QLV 1 and the lower face ofthe plate 1.8 is a tapv 5 which conforms in contour to Vthe lower face of the heel 1. Projecting upwardly from the tap 5 are a pair oi' pins 4 which extend into the housing 3 adjacent the inner aceof the latter. Preferably the housing 3 ,will be of oval shapeY in cross section as shown, with the maybe of any suitable formation to bea-r against the pins' e. The wedge 2 is prcwidd ed on opposite sides thereof with ribs 8 which are Aslidahly mounted within grooves@ 12 forme-d inthe inner face ofthe housing 8 and extending throughout the height of the latter. 'As more clearly shown inA F igure 2,

the wedge 2 tapers frein top to bottom in` or he order that the pinse will be force-d apartinto snug engagement with the inner face of the housing 3 upon the exertion of a down ward force on the wedge 2. A constant down-I ward force is maintained on the wedge Q by means oi a coiled spring 6- which is disposed within the socketA portion 17, and the lower of which abats against the upperv face of the wedge 2. 1n order that any twisting of the tap 5 may he prevented, and consequently the pinsie protected from strain, the tap 5 is providedwith a stud 9 which pro= jects upwardly therefrom into an opening 1'0I formed through the plate 118-. d

When itis desired to remove the tap, a

suitable tool, not shown, ni-ay be inserted.

through an open-ing 11 through the' tap kv5I and plate 18 and extended `into the housing 3 t'o he pressed against the lower face or the wedge 2 totcree the latter upwardly against the Upon forcing compression off the sting. the wedge 2 npwar lly, the latter no longer contacts the, pins 4- and the latter may he readiiy withdrawn frfointhe housingv 3 merel-y hy pulling on the tap 5. In order to prevent dirt er the! like from penetrating into they heel so'clz'et, theopening 11 preferahiy will be normally closed by means oit a suitable plug, not shown.

It is thought that the many advantages of a shoe heel in accordance with this invention will be readily apparent, and although the preferred embodiment of the invention is as illustrated and described, it is to be understood that changes in the size, shape and arrangement of parts may be made, so long as such changes fall within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What I claim is l. In combination with a shoe heel formed in its lower face with a socket, a tap seated against the lower face of the heel and having a plurality of pins extending into the socket, and a vertically movable wedge disposed between the pins for engaging the latter to maintain the tap in position.

2. In combination with a shoe heel formed in its lower face with a socket, a housing the pins Jfor forcing them in frictional contact with the inner face of the housing to maintain the tap in position.

3. In combination with a shoe heel formed in its lower face with a socket, an Open top housing disposed within the socket, a tap seated against the lower face of the heel and having a plurality of pins extending into said socket, a vertically movable wedge disposed between the pins and within the socket, and a tension element bearing against the upper face of the wedge to force the pins into frictional engagement with the inner face of the housing to maintain the tap in position.

`4. vIn combination with a shoe heel formed inits lower face with a socket having a lower portion of greater area than the remaining portion, a plate disposed within the greater area portion for closing the lower end of the socket, a housing carried by the plate and projecting upwardly therefrom into said remaining portion of the socket, a tap seated against the lower face of the heel and having a plurality of pins extending through said plate into said housing, and a wedge disposed between the pins for pressing the latter into :trictional engagement with the inner face of the housing to maintain the tap in position.

5.' In combination with a shoe heel formedV j 1n its lower face with a socket having a lower portion of greater area than the remaining portion, a plate disposed within the greater area portion for closing the lower end of the socket, a housing carried by the plate and il. projecting upwardly therefrom into said remaining portion of the socket, a tap seated against the lower face of the heel and having a plurality of pins extending through said plate into said housing, a wedge disposed between the pins for pressing the latter into portion, a plate disposed within the greaterA area portion for closing the lower end of the socket, an open top housing carried by the plate and projecting into said remaining portion of the socket, a.tap seated against the lower face of the heel and having a plurality of pins extending through said plate and into said housing, a vertically movable wedge disposed between said pins and `within said housing, and a tension elementl bearing against the upper face of the wedge for forcing said pins into frictional engagement with the inner face of the housing to maintain the tap in position. Y

In testimony whereof, I afiix my signature hereto.

ALFRED E. NORRIS. 

